Hi-dutch "Little by Little"
Sai
Starts 12/7
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Artists
Hi-dutch
SAI presents "little by little," a solo exhibition by the artist hi-dutch, co-hosted with GALLERY TARGET, from 7th to 26th December.
Using materials such as marine debris, scrap wood, and yarn, hi-dutch applies repair techniques developed through surfboard restoration, breathing new life into these materials by combining waste and natural elements, encouraging us to reconsider the meaning and value of the resources around us. Participated in group exhibitions not only in Japan but also the USA, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Australia, and through charity auctions and donations to coastal environmental organisations, he has gained recognition for his distinctive approach, broadening societal positing for an artist. This exhibition, his first solo show in five years, represents the artist's most comprehensive works, showcasing over 60 pieces that reflect his current mindset and the spirit of our times, filling SAI’s space with his creations.
As he has a close relationship with the sea, he has presented works with a marine motif, known for his technique of attaching woollen yarn and marine debris to wood, coating it with resin, and then polishing it. The warmth of the wood wrapped in resin harmonises with the gentleness of the woollen yarn, and the new face of the material emerges in the artist's hands, evoking a sense of touching the essence and past of the material, like memories are once forgotten returning to life. Having been in surfing culture since his teenage years, the artist’s journey into this technique began when he noticed some forgotten yarn at home. He began to produce artworks reusing yarn, plastic waste from the sea and driftwood, making use of the resin and resin repair techniques he developed in his surfboard repair work at a surf shop. These materials, which have lost their original information and identities as objects, regain their meaning as materials through the creative process, reminding us of the pure relationship between us and materials. By layering yarn organically onto wood shaped with motifs that evoke a hint of nostalgia across generations, the artist interweaves the material with the viewer’s memories.
This exhibition titled ‘little by little’ embodies the artist's production mindset of gradually achieving overall progress and transformation through small, incremental steps. While information spreads at an explosive speed through the internet, the actual pace of events remains unchanged, as everyday life slowly and steadily accumulates over time. Like his signature series, fish artwork that has swallowed fragments of ready-made and mass-produced items found in the ocean, marine debris has lost its former human significance, drifted into the boundaryless sea as material, been given new meaning as material for artworks, and formed new connections like an ever-lasting thread. By observing non-verbal communication between humans and animals, the aura that accumulates as beings age, the growth of trees, and the ever-changing environment surrounding the sea, the artist carefully arranges threads one by one. This process draws attention to the universal aspects of human activity, transcending the boundaries of time, place, and culture, in search of shared constancy. The rhythm of the woven threads is exquisitely delicate as if methodically tracing the universe's origins, inviting viewers into a tranquil world.
The exhibition consists of four spaces-an ocean space, a wooden space, a cat space inspired by the artist's cat, and a space created in collaboration with an artist with whom she has a close friendship. It invites visitors to immerse themselves in the artist's worldview and provides a setting where they can take their time to engage deeply with the works. Additionally, Original goods such as cat cushions made in collaboration with MEDICOM TOY, T-shirts and stickers are available at the venue.
Using materials such as marine debris, scrap wood, and yarn, hi-dutch applies repair techniques developed through surfboard restoration, breathing new life into these materials by combining waste and natural elements, encouraging us to reconsider the meaning and value of the resources around us. Participated in group exhibitions not only in Japan but also the USA, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Australia, and through charity auctions and donations to coastal environmental organisations, he has gained recognition for his distinctive approach, broadening societal positing for an artist. This exhibition, his first solo show in five years, represents the artist's most comprehensive works, showcasing over 60 pieces that reflect his current mindset and the spirit of our times, filling SAI’s space with his creations.
As he has a close relationship with the sea, he has presented works with a marine motif, known for his technique of attaching woollen yarn and marine debris to wood, coating it with resin, and then polishing it. The warmth of the wood wrapped in resin harmonises with the gentleness of the woollen yarn, and the new face of the material emerges in the artist's hands, evoking a sense of touching the essence and past of the material, like memories are once forgotten returning to life. Having been in surfing culture since his teenage years, the artist’s journey into this technique began when he noticed some forgotten yarn at home. He began to produce artworks reusing yarn, plastic waste from the sea and driftwood, making use of the resin and resin repair techniques he developed in his surfboard repair work at a surf shop. These materials, which have lost their original information and identities as objects, regain their meaning as materials through the creative process, reminding us of the pure relationship between us and materials. By layering yarn organically onto wood shaped with motifs that evoke a hint of nostalgia across generations, the artist interweaves the material with the viewer’s memories.
This exhibition titled ‘little by little’ embodies the artist's production mindset of gradually achieving overall progress and transformation through small, incremental steps. While information spreads at an explosive speed through the internet, the actual pace of events remains unchanged, as everyday life slowly and steadily accumulates over time. Like his signature series, fish artwork that has swallowed fragments of ready-made and mass-produced items found in the ocean, marine debris has lost its former human significance, drifted into the boundaryless sea as material, been given new meaning as material for artworks, and formed new connections like an ever-lasting thread. By observing non-verbal communication between humans and animals, the aura that accumulates as beings age, the growth of trees, and the ever-changing environment surrounding the sea, the artist carefully arranges threads one by one. This process draws attention to the universal aspects of human activity, transcending the boundaries of time, place, and culture, in search of shared constancy. The rhythm of the woven threads is exquisitely delicate as if methodically tracing the universe's origins, inviting viewers into a tranquil world.
The exhibition consists of four spaces-an ocean space, a wooden space, a cat space inspired by the artist's cat, and a space created in collaboration with an artist with whom she has a close friendship. It invites visitors to immerse themselves in the artist's worldview and provides a setting where they can take their time to engage deeply with the works. Additionally, Original goods such as cat cushions made in collaboration with MEDICOM TOY, T-shirts and stickers are available at the venue.
Schedule | Dec 7 (Sat) 2024-Dec 26 (Thu) 2024 Opening Hours Information
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| Fee | Free | ||
| Venue | Sai http://www.saiart.jp/  | ||
| Location | 3F Rayard Miyashita Park South, 6-20-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001 | ||
| Access | 2 minute walk from exit B1 at Shibuya Station on the Fukutoshin, Hanzomon, Tokyu Den-en-toshi or Tokyu Toyoko line, 4 minute walk from the Miyamasuzaka exit of JR Shibuya Station. | ||
| Phone | 03-6712-5706 | ||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
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